There’s a reason Dave Pasternack is known as the “fish whisperer”—he captains the seafood counter at Eataly and has helmed Hell’s Kitchen crudo enclave Esca since 2000. Now the pesce pro casts his first restaurant outside of the Bastianich-Batali empire with this sea-to-table trattoria, a collaboration with LDV Hospitality founder John Meadow (American Cut, Scarpetta). True to its name—barchetta is Italian for “little boat”—the 91-seat spot sticks to the Mediterranean coast: fusilli with Atlantic surf clams, roasted octopus with smoked paprika, and house-made spaghetti with lobster, spring onions and sorrel. From the turf, find dishes like a Hampshire bone-in pork chop with rhubarb chutney. More casual than Esca, the restaurant features oak tables, a white marble bar and works from up-and-coming Chelsea artists. 461 W 23rd St at Tenth Ave (212-255-7400)